A moment later.
I dialed the number Assistant Manager Eun Haje had given me.
It was an internal company line that connected directly to Director Ho’s private office.
[Hello.]
“…!”
“Good evening, Director Ho.”
The moment the call connected, my superiors fell silent.
I continued speaking as calmly and respectfully as possible.
“This is Supervisor Kim Soleum—I went missing a month ago. I’ve only just managed to escape the Darkness and am reaching out now.”
…The response was unsettlingly casual.
It was the tone one would use to chat with an old acquaintance. Slightly warm, even a little cheerful. It sent a chill down my spine.
That was not how anyone should react when a supposedly deceased employee suddenly called out of nowhere.
‘This guy isn’t normal.’
I would have preferred to contact Director Cheong Dallae instead, but that wasn’t an option at the moment.
So, I listened to what Director Ho had to say.
[I’m truly relieved that you didn’t actually pass away. It’s wonderful to hear you’re safe.]
“Thank you.”
[But isn’t this situation quite troublesome for you? If you return like this, you’ll suffer a significant loss in points…]
Of course, he already knew.
‘He’s speaking as if it’s already a given that the company will charge me for the costs of my ‘rescue’.’
As the Director of the Development Department, he could have easily prevented this from happening—but instead, he was only sympathizing, making it clear that he had no intention of helping.
Not that I expected him to.
I had already made my decision.
“Yes. That’s why I wanted to discuss something with you.”
I deliberately paused for a beat before continuing, keeping my voice steady.
“Director, is the offer you previously extended to me still valid?”
……
[Wooow, Soleum-nim.]
[What a brilliant idea you’ve had!]
His bright, almost delighted voice hit me like a downpour.
[You want to join my project, have your disappearance classified as classified project work instead of unauthorized leave, and avoid any losses in company points—correct?] ℞ÀＮÖВĚ𝓢
Goosebumps ran down my arms.
Beside me, Assistant Manager Eun Haje clenched her fists.
[That’s such an excellent strategy!]
I couldn’t bring myself to say thank you.
It wasn’t gratitude I felt—it was pure, instinctive wariness.
This wasn’t just a well-aligned conversation. It was as if I had stepped into a deal with an otherworldly creature. [1]
[And of course, it’s possible.]
“Thank you—”
[That means that, from this moment onward, Supervisor Kim Soleum is officially a member of Director Ho Yoowon’s newly established project team. This verbal acceptance is being recorded as part of this call. Welcome aboard!]
“……”
It felt like I had just been pressured into signing a highly questionable real estate contract after barely five minutes of looking around.
“I truly appreciate your generosity. However, I had intended to consult with you, not to immediately declare my intent to join…”
[Ah, of course.]
[Then, shall we meet in person?]
“…I would greatly appreciate that. However, as you know, I am currently unable to visit the company in person due to my circumstances.”
[Ah, I expected as much. In fact, I was thinking it would be best to meet elsewhere.]
What a surprisingly accommodating response.
‘…Where exactly does he want to meet?’
I vaguely imagined a private dining space, perhaps a discreet meeting room.
But then—
[The Fox Counseling Room.]
“…!”
What?
[How does that sound? Warm and pleasant, don’t you think?]
[I’ll send the nameplate through Assistant Manager Eun Haje.]
“……”
Slowly, all of us turned to look at Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
‘Didn’t she say she had been reassigned to a role where she had to avoid company surveillance?’
Yet, Director Ho spoke as if he already knew she was right here.
[Please wait just a moment.]
“…Understood. Thank you, sir.”
The call ended with polite farewells.
And then—
Rrrrrring!
Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s phone immediately buzzed.
She glanced at the screen, then held up the display so we could all see.
[Caller ID: Director Ho Yoowon]
“……”
She answered.
“Yes. Yes, sir… Um. Understood. I’ll return immediately.”
Click.
“You heard that, right? That man is not normal.”
Assistant Manager Eun Haje pulled the phone away from her face, shaking her head.
“The Fox Counseling Room… He’ll dress it up as ‘a comfortable place for Soleum-nim to receive counseling in case of contamination, while also having a discussion,’ but really? He just wants to establish dominance over the conversation.”
“……”
“Roe.”
She lowered her phone, looking visibly unsettled.
“It’s my firm belief that, even if it means taking a longer route, it’s better not to get involved in Director Ho’s project. Losing the points is painful, but… damn it.”
In the end, Assistant Manager Eun Haje ran a hand through her hair and sighed.
For the members of the Field Exploration Team, company points were practically as valuable as their lives. She knew exactly how much they meant.
“I’ll bring back the nameplate for you, but don’t let things slide too easily. Find a way to wheedle yourself out of this and don’t let the director pull you in. …You’re good at talking your way through things, so I believe in you.”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“I’ll be careful and listen to what he has to say.”
“Good.”
A short while later.
Assistant Manager Eun Haje returned from the company and handed me the item Director Ho had promised.
A nameplate I was now quite familiar with.
Fox Counseling Room
Huu…
“Roe, if things feel off, just bolt!”
“Thank you, Supervisor.”
With my superiors’ encouragement and advice, I attached the nameplate to a random door.
And for the first time in a long while, I stepped into the Fox Counseling Room.
Note/s:
[1] The ‘otherworldly creature’ that Soleum likens Director Ho to is actually ‘요괴 (yo-gwe)’, which is similar to the Japanese ‘yokai’. These creatures include the Korean goblin (dokkaebi), Sangun-nim, the changgwi, and other such entities. ↩